A call for help Wednesday afternoon for ocean kayakers possibly in distress near the Sea Ranch resulted in the mobilization of several emergency agencies and a helicopter rescue, according to emergency officials.

The crew of the Sonoma County sheriff’s helicopter, Henry 1, plucked one person from his paddleboard and carried him to the safety of a Sea Ranch beach. He was about 300 yards offshore in rough waters and was not able to get back to land. He was picked up with the helicopter’s long-line.

A second person, believed to be in a kayak, apparently wasn’t in distress and made it back to shore on their own, according to fire officials who responded.

The two males reportedly had been fishing for ling cod Wednesday afternoon.
At about 1:25 p.m., a caller reported seeing two people in kayaks in the ocean off of Galleon’s Reach and feared they might be drifting and in need of help.

The call brought out several coastal fire agencies, paramedics, the helicopter and the Coast Guard.

By about 1:55 p.m., both people were on the beach and declined medical care. By about 2 p.m., all the rescuers were released to respond to other calls.